Euro fever mounts

A round-up of the latest stories on the euro and the debate about whether the UK should join the currency.

The toppling of Saddam Hussein in Iraq has led to a new flurry of speculation about how the war will affect the UK debate about the euro.

Reports have suggested moves by Tony Blair towards an early poll - while others have said Gordon Brown wants a referendum to be delayed until after the next election.

The latest report, in the Financial Times, says the prime minister has agreed to rule out an early referendum.

It says Mr Brown has told him that four of the five economic tests for the euro have not been met.

Mr Blair is still hopeful of a poll this parliament, but the paper says this is "highly unlikely".

According to the same paper, even pro-euro executives are against joining the currency just yet.

The paper says they are worried about forcing the UK to adopt an EU-wide monetary policy and are dubious about EU institutions.

The findings come following research into the views of pro-euro business leaders.

The Guardian says Tony Blair's aides are urging him to consider new economic tests for joining the euro.

The paper says Mr Blair's team believe he needs to convince other EU states that "pausing" over joining the euro does not rule out eventual membership.

According to the paper, the prime ministers wants to avoid ruling out euro membership until after the next election.

Mr Blair is said to believe that the case for joining the euro has been strengthened by EU perceptions that he opted for the US over Europe in his approach to the war in Iraq.

According to the Independent, Gordon Brown has drawn up a plan under which the UK joining the euro would mean notes and coins becoming legal tender in 2010.

The paper says the chancellor wants to delay a poll on the euro until after the next election.

His proposals would "lock" the exchange rate between the pound and euro if there was a vote in favour of joining the currency.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Blair has told Mr Brown that the whole cabinet must have a say on the euro ruling.

The paper says there has never been such a round-table discussion on the currency.